Limited to raising the 2023-24 tax levy 2.5 percent, Waterville Central School District will do so for the next budget.
WCS Board of Education members had to approve the tax cap last week to meet the state’s March 1 deadline; last week was their only meeting in February.
Business Manager Amanda Eaves said this year’s budget is trending under budget. That is despite the District’s enrollment jumping up about 65 students to 780 since Opening Day.
Board members already set some budget goals, including limiting the use of Fund Balance to balance the budget to keep the Fund Balance at 5 to 6 percent and maximize what can be put into Reserve accounts.
WCS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Spring said WCS will receive more funding for pre-Kindergarten. The District hires the Neighborhood Center to run the program.
Spring said there will be discussions on what to do with the additional funds, with the possibility of expanding the full-time pre-K day to coincide with the end of the day for all students.
Waterville also qualifies for funding for the High Impact Tutoring program next year.
Eaves said Buildings and Grounds, which takes in three buildings and 73 acres, will need a replacement floor machine for about $10,000. In addition there will be salary increases and extra help hired in the summer.
Eaves said saving money in the department comes from the switch to geothermal heating and LED lighting.
Waterville bus drivers put on a combined 1,200 miles a day, Eaves said. Gas and diesel costs are increasing, training is needed and there will be salary increases.
Voters in May will decide on a Bus Proposition to purchase two full-sized buses, a 28-passenger bus and an 18-passenger bus.
Discussion took place on the state’s directive that by 2035 all 700 school…
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